Robots of the future make their debut at Tokyo Pack 2018

An MiR100 portable heavy goods robot by Kantum and a flying drone called Prodroneto, which will be launched in December, made their debut at this year’s Tokyo Pack 2018.

Michio Shimada, chairman, research committee Packaging Prediction, Institute of Certified Packaging Professionals, Japan (ICPPJ) said it is the first time Kantum has exhibited its MiR100 at a tradeshow in Japan.

30kg loads

Created by Munehiro Kawaguchi, engineering manager, robot division, Kantum Electronics, he said the robot was launched last October and has already sold 10 machines in Japan.

The MiR heavy goods robot is used to transport waste from one factory to another replacing forklift trucks, which is better for the environment.

The PD6B-Type II Prodrone Safety Unit (PSU) is capable of carrying 30kg loads to disaster zones or for industrial purposes, for example carrying shipments from one factory to another, and will be launched in December.

According to drone researcher Kenzo Nonami, chairman of the Japan Drone Consortium and CEO of Autonomous Control Systems Laboratory, speaking to the Japan Times, drones can make a huge difference to the quality of life.

Elderly consumers

“If you needed any incentive to push drone services in Japan, you need look no further than the country’s declining workforce and ageing population​,” said Nonami, inventor of Japan’s first-ever multicopter and a professor emeritus at Chiba University’s Graduate School of Engineering.

“For elderly residents just doing the shopping in such remote rural areas is problematic and can readily be solved with the help of drone technology. It can make a huge difference to quality of life​.”